Richmond Park is London’s largest National Nature Reserve consisting of ancient woods, rolling hills and wide-open grasslands which are bursting with life – from historic herds of deer to birds, invertebrates, fungi and wildflowers.
The park can trace its origins back to 1625, when Charles I brought his court to nearby Richmond Palace to escape the plague sweeping through London. He turned this landscape into a hunting park, filled with red and fallow deer. Amazingly, some of the trees that Charles would have ridden past still stand today.
The deer of Richmond Park The 630 strong herd of wild red and fallow deer roam freely amongst the oaks and grasslands of the park. Deer may look gentle, but can be unpredictable if disturbed, so please keep at least 50m away at all times.
Entrance to the park
A beautifully painted map of the park
The Laburnum walk, sadly it had just finished blooming when we arrived
A bench to sit and quietly contemplate
A crow collecting acorns
A warning sign regarding the deer
Red Deer relaxing under the trees
The Stag announcing his harem
The Stag with his harem
A view through the trees
